The Enforcement Directorate has provisionally attached assets worth ₹61.20 crore belonging to Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, in the ongoing investigation into the alleged ₹2,500 crore liquor scam. The seized properties include 364 residential plots and agricultural lands valued at ₹59.96 crore, marking a significant escalation in the probe that has already seen attachments totaling over ₹215 crore in earlier phases. The action underscores the agency’s determination to dismantle a syndicate accused of siphoning state revenue through illegal liquor trade practices.

According to the ED, Chaitanya Baghel operated as the central figure in the liquor syndicate, leveraging his influential position as the Chief Minister’s son to control operations and maintain detailed accounts of illicit funds. The agency alleges that all major decisions regarding the collection, routing, and distribution of bribe money were made under his direct supervision. The probe, initiated following an FIR by the Economic Offence Wing of Raipur Police, has uncovered a systematic scheme that caused massive losses to the state exchequer while enriching key beneficiaries.

Investigators claim Chaitanya Baghel received substantial proceeds of crime, which he allegedly laundered through his real estate venture, Baghel Developers. The funds were reportedly used to develop the “Vitthal Green” project, presented as legitimate business income. The ED’s findings indicate a deliberate effort to layer tainted money into immovable assets, converting black money into seemingly untainted property holdings across multiple locations in Chhattisgarh.

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Chaitanya Baghel was arrested by the ED on July 18, 2025, and remains in judicial custody as the investigation continues. He joins a list of high-profile arrests in the case, including former IAS officer Anil Tuteja, businessman Anwar Dhebar, and then Excise Minister Kawasi Lakhma. The agency asserts that the liquor scam involved collusion between politicians, bureaucrats, and private players to manipulate policies, tenders, and distribution networks for undue financial gain.

With the probe still underway, authorities are tracing additional assets and beneficiaries linked to the syndicate. The attachment of properties signals a strong message against corruption in public office, while raising questions about oversight during the previous Congress government’s tenure. The ED remains committed to recovering the full extent of illicit gains in this multi-crore scandal.

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